Proton VPN

Proton VPN
Developer(s)Proton AG
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows3.4.3 / 19 November 2024; 14 days ago (2024-11-19)[1]
macOS4.7.0 / 26 November 2024; 7 days ago (2024-11-26)[2]
Android5.6.38.0 / 14 October 2024; 50 days ago (2024-10-14)[3]
iOS5.9.0 / 13 November 2024; 20 days ago (2024-11-13)[4]
Linux (GUI)4.8.0 / 26 November 2024; 7 days ago (2024-11-26)[5]
Linux (CLI)2.2.12 / 27 February 2024; 9 months ago (2024-02-27)[6]
Browser Extension1.2.3 / 29 October 2024; 35 days ago (2024-10-29)[7]
tvOS1.1.0 / 13 November 2024; 20 days ago (2024-11-13)[8]
Repository
Operating system
Platform
TypeVirtual private network
Websiteprotonvpn.com

Proton VPN is a VPN service launched in 2017[9] and operated by the Swiss company Proton AG, the company behind the email service Proton Mail.[10][11] According to its official website, Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Proton's headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.[12] On June 17, 2024 the company announced that it will be transitioning to a non-profit structure under the Proton Foundation.[13]

Features

As of 23rd November 2024, Proton VPN has a total of 9,231 servers, sited in 112 different nations.[14]

Although Proton VPN owns and operates a portion of their servers, the bulk majority are owned and operated by ASNs such as M247 and Datacamp Limited.[15][16] Its service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ChromeOS and also has a command-line tool[17] for Linux and can be implemented using the IPSEC protocol.[18] Proton VPN can also be installed on a wireless router.

Proton VPN utilizes OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard (UDP/TCP) protocols with AES-256 encryption.[19] On October 11, 2022, Proton VPN released their Stealth Protocol for Android, iOS and MacOS clients, designed to disguise VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic.[20] In August 2024, Proton VPN announced that it had also added the Stealth protocol to its Windows client.[21]

Proton VPN has a no-logs policy[22] that was independently audited by Securitum, a European security auditing company.[23][24][25]

In January 2020, Proton VPN released its source code on all platforms[26] and had SEC Consult conduct an independent security audit.[27]

Reception

In a January 2023 review by TechRadar, Proton VPN received 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.[16]

A May 2023 PC Magazine review gave Proton VPN a 5 star rating. Proton VPN was awarded their Editor's Choice Award in 2022 and 2023.[28]

In October 2023 technology website Engadget rated Proton VPN as the "best overall" for streaming, gaming, privacy and security.[29]

In January 2024 a comparative review of 10 different VPNs by German technology magazine CHIP rated Proton VPN as their test winner.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Proton VPN for Windows". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  2. ^ "Proton VPN for macOS". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  3. ^ "Proton VPN for Android". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  4. ^ "Proton VPN for iOS". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  5. ^ "Proton VPN for Linux (GUI)". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  6. ^ "Proton VPN for Linux (CLI)". Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ^ "Proton VPN Browser Extension (Chromium and Firefox)". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  8. ^ "Proton VPN for tvOS". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  9. ^ "Encrypted email provider Proton Mail launches free VPN service to counter increasing online censorship". ProtonVPN. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  10. ^ "ProtonVPN review: Underground data centers, one-click multi-hop, and more make for a great choice". PCWorld. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  11. ^ "Proton VPN - About Us". ProtonVPN. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  12. ^ "Privacy policy". Proton. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  13. ^ "Proton is transitioning towards a non-profit structure". Proton. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  14. ^ "Proton VPN - Server Locations". ProtonVPN. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  15. ^ "ProtonVPN - VPN Transparency Project". VPN Transparency Project. November 14, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Williams, Mike (24 January 2023). "ProtonVPN review". TechRadar. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  17. ^ Nadel, Brian (2018-11-16). "ProtonVPN Free Review". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  18. ^ "VPN gratis en Linux Debian con Proton VPN". Linux Latinoamérica (in Spanish). 2021-04-28. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  19. ^ "Protect your connection with strong VPN protocols". Proton VPN. 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Eddy, Max (October 11, 2022). "Proton VPN's New Stealth Feature Helps Fight Censorship in Iran and Russia". PCMag. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Buria, Taras (August 6, 2024). "Proton brings its Stealth VPN protocol to Windows". Neowin. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Does Proton VPN keep logs?". Proton VPN. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ Szymczak, Maciej; Darecki, Jakub (March 24, 2022). "ProtonVPN's No-Logs policy – regarding VPN activity". Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Szymczak, Maciej; Rzepecki, Marek (May 1, 2023). "Proton VPN's No-Log policy – regarding VPN activity". Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Rzepecki, Marek; Zięba, Marcin (July 12, 2024). "Verification of Proton VPN's No-Log Policy". Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "Proton VPN goes open-source: What this means for your privacy". tomsguide.com. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  27. ^ Osborne, Charlie. "Proton VPN apps handed to open source community in transparency push". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  28. ^ Eddy, Max; Key, Kim (May 8, 2023). "Proton VPN Review". PCMag. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Malone, Katie (13 October 2023). "Proton VPN review 2023: Why it's our top-choice VPN". Engadget. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  30. ^ Geiger, Joerg (4 January 2024). "VPN test: The best VPN providers in comparison". Chip_(magazine). Retrieved 5 February 2024.